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Construction and Systematical Symmetric Studies of a Series of Supramolecular Clusters with Binary or Ternary Ammonium Triphenylacetates
Published on: February 15, 2016
Small tin cluster anions: transition from quasispherical to prolate structures
Esther Oger1, Rebecca Kelting, Patrick Weis
1Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Karlsruhe, Kaiserstr. 12, 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|April 2, 2009
Summary
Researchers explored tin cluster anions up to 15 atoms using theory and experiments. They discovered compact structures for smaller clusters and unique prolate shapes for larger tin cluster anions (Sn13- to Sn15-).
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Computational Chemistry
Background:
- Understanding the structure and properties of atomic clusters is crucial for developing new materials.
- Tin clusters are of interest due to their unique electronic and catalytic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the structures and energetics of small tin cluster anions (Sn(n)(-)) up to n=15.
- To investigate the transition from compact to more complex structures in tin clusters.
Main Methods:
- Density-functional theory (DFT) calculations.
- Experimental techniques including ion mobility spectrometry, trapped ion electron diffraction, and collision-induced dissociation.
Main Results:
- Identified compact, quasispherical structures for tin cluster anions up to n=12.
- Sn(12)(-) exhibits a distorted hollow icosahedral structure.
- Tin cluster anions from n=13 to n=15 display prolate structures formed by merged deltahedral subunits.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals a structural evolution in tin cluster anions with increasing size.
- The findings provide insights into the stability and geometric configurations of small tin clusters.
- This work contributes to the fundamental understanding of cluster physics and chemistry.
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